Author: Samuel G. Freedman

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/23/us/23religion.html?emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

For as long as Bahaism has existed, the forebears of Rezvan Tavakkoli have abided by it. And over the generations, since the faith’s origin 166 years ago, Mr. Tavakkoli’s people have paid the price of their devotion.

They have endured beatings, insults, arrest, vandalism,...

Author: Tara Hagan

Source: The Observer

http://www.theobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2268897

Members of the local Baha'i community are keeping a close eye on a controversial trial underway in Iran.

"We're deeply concerned," said Afsaneh Yazdani, secretary for the Baha'i community in Sarnia, where, members are praying for seven fellow Baha'is currently on trial.

The group -- two women and five men -- have been jailed since...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Baha'i World News Service

http://news.bahai.org/story/750

Iranian authorities have notified the lawyers of seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders that the next session of their trial will be held on 7 February, the Baha'i International Community learned today.

At their first court appearance, held 12 January in Tehran, the charges were read to the seven, who categorically denied the accusations.

"While we know little about what...

Author: Mary Garrigan

Source: Rapid City Journal

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/lifestyles/article_ed9bd4fe-0224-11df-8958-001cc4c002e0.html

It’s always hard for Baktash Aazami to think about the religious persecution that Baha’i believers suffer back in his native Iran, but Tuesday was an especially difficult day for him and other Baha’i in the Black Hills.

“It’s really...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: WashingtonTV

http://televisionwashington.com/floater_article1.aspx?lang=en&t=1&id=17204

Amnesty International called on the Iranian authorities on Wednesday to release seven Baha’is who are being tried on charges that include spying for Israel.

The first court session for the five men and two women, who have been held for some 20 months, was held on Tuesday.

“The seven...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Baha'i World News Service

http://news.bahai.org/story/748

The trial of seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders began today in Iran. Initial reports indicate that the trial was marked by numerous violations of legal due process.

After about three hours, the hearing ended. Authorities indicated that today’s proceeding was merely the “first session,” and no date for future sessions was given.

"We understand that no...

Author: Erin Wiltgen

Source: The Herald-Sun

http://www.heraldsun.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Baha’i+case+hits+home+for+Chapel+Hill+family%20&id=5524106

In a living nightmare, Azadeh and Mark Perry apprehensively await the coming trial of seven Baha’i leaders in Iran today.

But for the Chapel Hill couple, the potential closure of an almost two-year conflict holds...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Baha'i World News Service

http://news.bahai.org/story/747

The Baha'i International Community today categorically rejected new allegations by the Iranian government that arms and ammunition were found in the homes of Baha'is who were arrested in Tehran last Sunday.

"This is nothing less than a blatant lie," said Diane Ala'i, the Baha'i International Community's representative to the United Nations in Geneva. "Baha'is are by the most...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Isria

http://www.isria.com/pages/9_January_2010_18.php

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement expressing Canada’s concern over Iran’s continued detention of seven leaders of the country’s Bahá’i community:

“Canada remains deeply concerned by Iran’s ongoing arbitrary detention of seven Bahá’i community...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Indian Express

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Baha-is-ask-govt-to-take-up-issue-of-Iranian-leaders/564834/

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of India has asked the government to take up the issue of the seven Iranian Baha’i leaders expected to come up for trial in Tehran on January 12 with the Iranians.

Holding a press conference at the Baha...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Baha'i World News Service

http://news.bahai.org/story/745

Recent developments in Iran have raised grave concern about the ultimate fate of the seven Baha'i leaders who are scheduled to go on trial next Tuesday.

"The Baha'i community in Iran has all too often been subjected to campaigns of vilification and false charges devised to deflect the attention of a disquieted population onto the Baha'is and away from those in power," said...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Iran Press Watch/Human Rights Activists News Agency

http://www.iranpresswatch.org/post/5371

The court issued a sentence against three Baha’is of Yasuj who have been under arrest for approximately one month; they were accused of teaching the Baha’i Faith.

According to the Baha’i Committee of Human Rights Activists in Iran, according to this sentence, Mr. Ali Bakhsh Bazr-Afkan has been sentenced to two and a...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Baha'i World News Service

http://news.bahai.org/story/743

The United Nations General Assembly gave its final stamp of approval today to a strongly worded resolution condemning Iran for a long list of human rights violations.

By a vote of 74 to 49, with 59 abstentions, the General Assembly confirmed an earlier vote by its Third Committee in November on a resolution that expresses "deep concern at serious ongoing and recurring human...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BC Local News

http://www.bclocalnews.com/community/79571472.html

In 1992, Jim Cribb, along with others from the Comox Valley, travelled to New York City to join 30,000 Bahá’ís from around the world to mark 100 years since the death of Bahá’u’lláh, Founder of the Bahá’í Faith.

Already a Bahá’í for 20 years, Cribb discovered that...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: WashingtonTV/Baha’i World News Service

http://televisionwashington.com/floater_article1.aspx?lang=en&t=1&id=16533

The trial of seven imprisoned Baha’is in Iran has been scheduled for 12 January, the Baha’i World News Service reported on Wednesday, citing their attorneys.

The five men and two women have been detained in Tehran’s Evin Prison for more than 18 months, with...